Animal Welfare

Since its founding, ITR Laboratories Canada has been committed to ensure the highest possible standard of animal welfare and care. Animal welfare means more than good nutrition and a clean and safe environment, we ensure that all animals used in the facility are cared for in the most appropriate manner to ensure ethical and moral treatment at all times.

ITR Laboratories Canada has been CCAC (Canadian Council on Animal Care) and AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) accredited since 1993 and studies conducted are fully compliant with the GLP (Good laboratory Practice). We have maintained continuous accreditation for over 25 years. Our animal care program is designed to ensure that all studies conducted on behalf of our clients are appropriately reviewed and meet the criteria established by the animal care regulators, our own strict ethical guidelines and the 3Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement). The principles of the 3Rs were developed over 50 years ago as a framework for humane animal research. They have subsequently become embedded in national and international legislation regulating the use of animals in scientific procedures.

VETERINARY CARE

Veterinary medical care is an essential part of our animal welfare program. Our veterinary care staff is highly trained and licensed in laboratory animal medicine. Both the animal care and scientific staff have the knowledge required to ensure ITR Laboratories Canada meets the highest standard of animal care and follow the Canadian code of conduct; which prohibits anyone from willfully causing animals to suffer from neglect, pain or injury. Clients and animal care regulators alike have praised ITR Laboratories Canada for our animal environmental enrichment program and ethical standards.